The online retail giant is planning to open a new section on its site as soon as July where it will offer one-of-a-kind paintings, prints and other fine art, according to interviews with a dozen gallery owners.

Amazon is set to debut the site with works from roughly 100 small galleries across the U.S., say gallery owners briefed on Amazon's plans. In recent weeks, the Seattle company has held cocktail receptions in its hometown, San Francisco, New York and other cities to invite galleries to take part in the new program.

An Amazon spokesman declined to comment.

Amazon.com is expected to launch an online art gallery later this year. The online retailer of books, electronics and apparel aims to offer over 1,000 art objects from at least 125 galleries, according to dealers who have been approached by the website’s business development group. Amazon executives told one dealer that 109 galleries have already agreed to participate.